They are a natural way to beautify any indoor space. House plants brighten up rooms, kitchens and even bathrooms. Blooming house plants--add color and brighten up even the drabbest of spaces.

Improve Air Quality

According to "All You Need to Know About Gardening But Were Afraid to Ask," house plants improve indoor air quality. They clear the air of harmful carbon dioxide and release vital oxygen by photosynthesis.*NASA discovered that house plants remove other airborne toxins---including formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, chloroform, benzene, xylene and ammonia---which are emitted by electrical appliances and synthetic, man-made materials, including plastic floor and wall coverings, chipboards, ceiling tiles and carpets. These indoor pollutants adversely affect health and cause a range of symptoms, such as fatigue, headaches, allergies and even fatal nervous-system disorders.

Positive Psychological Effect

According to "Save the Planet: 52 Brilliant Ideas for Rescuing Our World," house plants have a positive psychological effect on humans. Marjolein Elings (from the Wageningen University and Research Center in the Netherlands) conducted research on the role of plants in human lives. Her findings are published in the book "Farming for Health." According to Elings, plants and an active interaction with plants improve health, self-esteem, concentration, pride and sense of accomplishment. Plants enhance the sense of enjoyment, tranquility, autonomy and relaxation.

SUCCULENT DISH GARDENS:

We can all benefit by connecting to the earth and nature, especially, during our cold winter months. Why not try your hand at creating container gardens. They bring life into your indoor living spaces and connect to the creative portion of your brain.

In this dish garden, I've created a living space for succulents. Succulents are easy to grow and provide you with many texture and color choices. They do require a special mixture of soil. You can use regular potting soil mixed with sand and small stones or you can mix in perlite. This allows for proper drainage in your container. Most succulents also love to have a shallow dish to grow in.

Indoor Lighting Requirements: Succulents prefer bright light, such as found on a south-facing window. Watch the leaves for indications that the light level is correct. If you see signs of scorching on their leaves, you've exposed them to too much direct sunlight. Alternatively, an underlit succulent will begin to stretch, with an elongated stem and widely spaced leaves.

Temperature: Succulents are more cold tolerant than we assume. In the desert regions, they survive temperatures as low as 40 degrees F. Ideally, they prefer daytime temperatures between 70-85 degrees F.

Water: Water generously to start and then allow your potting mix to dry between waterings, but do not underwater. Don't let your soil stay too wet or sit in water because this will cause plant rot ... The single most common cause of plant failure is root rot.

Signs of Overwatering: Plants become soft and discolored. The leaves may turn yeller or white. A plant in this condition may be beyond saving, but you can still take it out of its container and inspect the roots. If they are brown and/or rotted, cut away dead roots and repot in drier soil. You could actually save your plant by doing this.

Signs of Underwatering: Succulents prefer generous water during the growing season (spring and summer). An under watered plant with first stop growing. You may also see signs of dropping leaves or brown spots on the leaves.

CONTAINERS FOR LOW LIGHT:

Everyone seems to have one area in their home that has low lighting. Creating a container garden, with the right plants, can brighten up that corner and bring texture and design to the room, as well as, make out living environment cleaner due to the carbon dioxide they

In this container, there are three (3) low light plant varieties:

1. Striped Dracaena 'Lemon Lime' or 'Gold Star'

Botanical Name: Dracaena deremensis

Origins: Tropical Africa

Light: Low Light

Watering: Well drained, moist

Growth Speed - Slow

Size: 2-3' Tall x 24" Wide

2. Variegated Baby Rubber Plant

Botanical Name: Peperomia oblusifolia 'Variegata'

Origins: Florida, Mexico and Caribbean

Light: Filtered Shade

Watering: Well drained, Moist

Growth Speed: Slow

Size: 10" Tall x 10" wide

3. Arrowhead Vine - Pink Allusion (Nephthytis)

Botanical Name: Syngonium Podophyllum

Origins: South America

Light: Low Light

Watering: Every 2 to 7 days depending on temperature

Growth Speed: Fast

Size: 2-3' Tall x 24" Wide

Passing on 'Love of Gardening' ... I absolutely love gardening and, for me, there's no bigger joy than passing this passion on to my children. When my oldest son was 13, he asked if he could have a cactus for his room. He cared for that cactus plant and, as years went by, continued to add other varieties to his collection. Some thrived, some failed but he never gave up. My son is now married with his own beautiful gardens that he digs in, mulches, plants and continues to create. He truly has grown to love gardening. I share this story because I just brought home a cactus, to my youngest son, this week. His response truly surprised me, especially, when I saw him pick and the cactus and say to his Dad, "Wow, look Mom brought me a cactus!" He proceeded to ask "Where are we going to put it?" When I answered "You can keep it in your room and take care of it", he gave me the biggest smile. That smile touched my heart. My hope is that his love of a single 'plant gift' will be the beginning of a lifetime of loving gardening, digging into the soil and creating gardens of his own. With a Warm Heart, "Happy Gardening" .... Susan

CLIENT FEEDBACK

Client Feedback

July 2018 - Project Price $25,000 - $35, 000Review by Kimberly B.

Comments: Suzanne and her husband are both Master Gardner's - this experience and knowledge base is phenomenal! Great communication, does what she says she going to do. Suzanne and her workers are wonderful & the clean up is great. Design is phenomenal, this is her passion - she comes and checks months afterward! Susanne & Joey ask questions & are very creative! They showed me numerous plants & trees that would work well in my yard! They don't just tell you - they show you actual pictures, so you know what is going on in your yard. I recommend them all the time!

May 2018 - Project Price $15,000 - $20000Review by Carol S.Project: Landscape DesignerComments: Very exited about the work they do and are very available.

July 2018 - Project Price $25,000 - $35, 000Review by Kimberly B.

Comments: Suzanne and her husband are both Master Gardner's - this experience and knowledge base is phenomenal! Great communication, does what she says she going to do. Suzanne and her workers are wonderful & the clean up is great. Design is phenomenal, this is her passion - she comes and checks months afterward! Susanne & Joey ask questions & are very creative! They showed me numerous plants & trees that would work well in my yard! They don't just tell you - they show you actual pictures, so you know what is going on in your yard. I recommend them all the time!

August 2015 - Matthews Village of St Andrew- Project Price: $5,000 - $7,999“Ever plan for something and get so much more than expected? Ambiance Garden Design’s Suzanne Wilkerson and her crew did that for me. A four-year search for help in adding interest and color to the landscaped area around my new patio home resulted in failure. After experiencing many dead flowering plants, broken contractor appointments and rejections for a small landscaping project, I was losing hope. Several months ago leaving a “big box” store I found an Ambiance Garden Design car parked next to me. A tap on its window, an introduction, a business card, a telephone call and a home visit from Suzanne - I had my assistance! She listened to my goals for design, implementation and maintenance. Today I have healthy, colorful plants that draw many types of birds, bees and butterflies. Through her teaching I am developing a deeper knowledge of nature, life cycles of plants and creatures and the importance of these to our environment. But greatest of all is the peace and enjoyment I receive in viewing and caring for this small bit of nature and the relationship with my new friend.”Thank you again!!"

June 2013 - Myers Park Country Club "I just wanted to say thank you for helping me out with my garden last year. I have so enjoyed it!! I would love for you to come see and maybe give me some tips on what to do next. It's beautiful!!